The Middle East is one of the most complex regions in the world. Right now there are four failed states (Yemen, Libya, Iraq and Syria) and three wars in progress (Syria, Iraq and Yemen), with great powers cOme Russia and the United States that more and more they take part in conflicts on different fronts. The region has seen a succession one conflict after another since the beginning of the twentieth century, e in all wars e revolutions, there are Have always been two countries that have Fought on opposite sides: Saudi Arabia and Iran. These two countries have always been in strong rivalry, and the relationships between them represent the key we have to fully understand the instability of the Middle East. Saudi Arabia and Iran have never declared war directly, but they nevertheless fought supporting militias or inciPeoples to revolt. This practice is commonly known as "proxy warfare ”, and has had a devastating effect on the stability of the region. The most famous Cold War was fought between the United States and the Soviet Union during the second half of the twentieth century. I two countries never declared war, but proceeded to clash backing Opposite factions in many conflicts scattered all over the world.

Just like the United States and the Soviet Union, Saudi Arabia and Iran are two powerful rivals, who instead of fighting for domination of the planet, fight for control of the Middle East. Relations between these two countries were positive until the revolution that shook Iran in 1979. After the ousting of the last Shah of Persia, Iran began its hostile policy towards Saudi Arabia. Immediately after the revolution, Iran radically changed its role, trying to establish itself as the new leader of the Middle East area. This caused the so-called "Shia revival", the cause of the current hostility between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which is instead a Sunni majority country. Over the years from 1979 to the present, Iran began funding any movement capable of weakening Saudi influence in the Middle East. There were numerous proxy wars that involved the two countries on opposite sides; in 1980 the Saudis financed Iraq in the war against Iran e in 1982 Iran participated in the creation of Hezbollah in Lebanon and Badr in Iraq. 

THEOccupation Americana  ofIraq (2003-2011) it was an event that further worsened relations between The two countries. After the end of the war, the United States left l'Iraq weak and unstable. CI Allowed the proliferation of militias and the outbreak of a new civil war. Neither Iran nor Saudi Arabia would have he wanted this to happen, because all this time Iraq had been the "buffer" that had kept the two countries divided and away from direct confrontation. However, both nations used this opportunity to support militias and movements in order to increase its influence in the area. 

Lat the Arab Spring of the 2011 further expanded the operational scenario of Saudi Arabia and Iran, which also began to clash in North Africa and Syria. In recent months the situation has worsened further, involving directly the armed forces of the two powers; iIn Yemen and in SiThe armies of the two countries participateNot already in the first person to ongoing conflicts.

Both of these countries perceive the tensions in the area as direct threats to their national interests and blame each other.

As the Middle East continues to destabilize, it is difficult to predict where the two nations are going. The closure of relations between Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and the recent defeat of ISIS in Iraq risk creating a vacuum that could throw the area into even greater "chaos" Of the current one.

By Lorenzo Pedullà

Photos rawabettercenter.com

Middle East instability, Iran and Saudi Arabia hold the jerseys